We recently connected with Laronda Bolden and have shared our conversation below.

LaRonda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

You know, the name “Fit 2 Soar” actually came from a pretty personal place. As a teenager, I went through some really tough times. I lost my dad, and soon after, I faced some traumatic experiences that left me struggling emotionally. Well, I was forced to take a weightlifting class and instantly fell in love. Not because of the physical benefits, but because of what it did for me internally. I was too young to understand it then, but I later learned that exercise was actually helping to heal my emotional pain. It really opened my eyes to how connected our minds and bodies are.

When I started working with clients, I knew I wanted to leverage my personal experiences, psychology background, and fitness training to help women achieve their goals both physically and mentally. I realized that for true success in fitness, we needed to address not just the physical challenges, but also the mental roadblocks that could hold them back.

Drawing from my own journey, I understood firsthand how transformative it could be to work on both aspects simultaneously. That’s the essence of “Fit 2 Soar” – it’s about empowering women to break through those mental barriers, allowing them to truly take off and reach their full potential, not just in fitness, but in all areas of life. By focusing on mental fitness as much as physical fitness, we create a powerful foundation for lasting change and personal growth.

LaRonda, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Sure! I’m LaRonda, the founder of Fit 2 Soar. I’m a wife, mom and a fitness and mindset coach dedicated to helping women break free from the weight of self-doubt and limiting beliefs while also shedding physical weight and building lasting strength.
My journey into this field began with my own struggles with anxiety and depression, rooted in the trauma of losing my father at a young age. At my lowest point, I discovered—almost by accident—how powerful fitness could be for my mental and emotional health. That realization ignited my passion to help others find the same healing and strength.

One of my proudest moments is not staying stuck in that dark place. It took a lot of work, but I learned how to rise above my circumstances, reclaim my power and live life authentically. That journey is what inspired me to create my coaching business and help other women do the same.

Now, I bring together my background in psychology and my passion for coaching to take a whole-person approach that helps women tackle their inner struggles and truly embrace their worth. My mission is simple: to help women reclaim their power, live their truth, and rise above whatever’s been holding them back. I’m here to show my clients that everything they need is already within them—sometimes they just need the right support to bring it to the surface.

At Fit 2 Soar, things are done a little differently. It’s not just about the numbers on the scale; it’s about shedding the internal weight—like self-doubt, fear, and limiting beliefs—that keep my clients stuck. We focus on building a mindset rooted in self-love, resilience, and confidence, so they feel strong, capable, and worthy every single day. It’s a holistic approach to finding true strength, both inside and out.

My work is more than just coaching; it’s about creating a space for women to discover their true selves, break free from what’s holding them back, and soar toward a future they truly deserve. I offer several ways to help make this happen, including one-on-one virtual coaching for personalized support, a group coaching program for those who enjoy learning and growing with others and hands-on workshops that are designed to motivate and empower.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Of course. A story that really shows my resilience is when I was at one of the lowest points in my life. I was just a young girl when I lost my dad, and it completely shattered my world. I felt abandoned and so alone. In the years that followed, I went through abuse that only deepened my wounds and filled me with even more self-doubt, anxiety, and a feeling that I just wasn’t enough. I tried to numb the pain with substances, spiraling deeper into darkness. I hit rock bottom, battling anxiety and depression, and had no idea how to pull myself out. I felt like I was stuck in a hole with no way out, but somewhere in that darkness, I found a tiny spark.

Almost by accident, I discovered that moving my body started to make me feel a little stronger. Each step I took, I felt a bit more in control, a bit more capable. I realized that fitness wasn’t just about getting in shape; it was helping me heal mentally and emotionally.

That’s when I made a decision. I chose to fight for myself. I turned to my faith, got into therapy, and started doing the tough work of healing and reparenting my inner child. I faced the pain and trauma head-on, even though it was uncomfortable and scary. Little by little, I began to see that I was worthy of love, success, and happiness.

I chose to rise above my circumstances and take my life back. Each step forward was me saying, “I’m more than my past, more than my pain.” I found strength in being vulnerable and courage in my healing. And through this whole journey, I learned that our toughest challenges can become our greatest teachers. Now, I share my story to show other women that no matter how deep the wounds, they can rise, heal and soar too.

That’s what led me to create Fit 2 Soar. Now, I guide women on their own journeys of transformation. I’ve learned that we’re all a lot stronger than we think, and even in our darkest moments, we have the power to rise up, reclaim our worth, and build a life we truly love.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Absolutely! There was a time when I was climbing the corporate ladder—getting promoted, traveling, and enjoying the perks that came with it. On the outside, it looked like I had it all together, but deep down, I knew it wasn’t my dream. I felt like I was losing myself in the process, and the pressure was becoming unbearable. I remember one night, feeling overwhelmed just thinking about the next day’s stress, and I ended up having a panic attack. I was constantly anxious, depressed, and completely drained. I lost weight, went back on anxiety meds, and barely saw my son. Weekends? I spent them in bed, totally exhausted, while weekdays were filled with late nights and nonstop demands.

I had to stop and ask myself, “What is this really costing me?” I realized I had the money and the status, but it was at the expense of my mental health, my happiness, and precious time with my family. So, I decided something had to change. I made a tough call to leave the high-paying job and take one that paid less but would give me my life back. At the same time, I decided to go for my master’s degree in health, which was something I was actually passionate about.

It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever made, but looking back, it was the best decision for me. It gave me room to breathe, find balance, and focus on what truly mattered—my well-being, my family, and my purpose. I learned that success isn’t just about titles or paychecks; it’s about living a life that feels true to who you are. That decision was my big pivot, where I stopped just going through the motions and started building a life that was genuinely fulfilling.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.fit2soar.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_fit2soar/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fit2soar
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/laronda-bolden-fit2soar/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@fit2soar

Image Credits

Sophie Hunter Photography